Labyrinthitis

I'm so sorry for you because feeling sick and dizzy must be just one of the most awful things. I do have mobility and balance problems which are becoming very difficult to live with but can't help with your condition. I hope someone on here has experienced this and can give you support.💐

I had labyrinthitis for years & it started to affect my hearing. I went to my GP who arranged a hearing test (at Specsavers!).
The audiologist recommended a consultantation at Kings Lynn Hospital and they did more detailed tests. Eventually, I was called into a room with a doctor, a nurse and a padded bench (the sort that fit under dining tables). I was manhandled into various positions and told to bend my head or rotate it - this went on for 15-20 minutes. Then I was sent home with a leaflet of similar exercises to be done if I ever had another dizzy spell - this was several years ago and I haven't needed to do the exercises at all.
I would think the manipulation has a name - it was designed to empty the fluid from semi-circular canals in the ear, which is what causes labyrinitis.
Anyhow, it worked for me!

I woke up at the beginning of May feeling I was being tipped out of bed and the room spinning wildly. I thought I was having a stroke. I saw a GP the next day - I could hardly stand who diagnosed Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). He offered to do a procedure but I was so nauseous I refused as I thought I would throw up. He said there are many videos on YouTube. Later that day I did it lying on the bed with DH telling me the steps. It was horrible and I was screaming and gripping the quilt for dear life I was so dizzy. But it worked and hasn’t happened since. It’s caused by calcium deposits lodged in the ear and the exercise dislodges it.

There had been a lot of posts about this which you might find helpful. It’s a horrible thing I know as I have had it on and off for years .

I think I mean Threads ... I posted on one only recently

Its called Eply manoeuvre. I had it done recently.
Unfortunately labyrinthitis can return, I have had it twice.
This time it turned the vertigo was caused by my heart, so the procedure didn't actually help.

I feel for you. I have suffered bouts of this (BPPV) since I was pregnant with my first child 53 years ago. It is always lurking trying to happen so I avoid any movement which could cause an attack, like turning head quickly, looking up, and definitely no fairground rides ! I used to always carry Sea Legs travel sickness tablets, which helped a little.
The Epley Manoeuvre described by Dilemma can work for some, but I have never dared try it because I know how awful it will make me feel at the time. With tuition it can be carried out at home either on your own or with help.
If you type 'Labyrinthitis' into the Gransnet search box you will see previous threads on the subject, within which you will find many suggestions as well as sympathy!
Good luck!

I never lie flat and always use
3 pillows.

Eply manoeuvre
GP I worked with used it on patients rather than having to refer
Worked a treat in most cases

I suffer bouts and have found Eply manoeuvre does help although it sometimes requires more than one go.

I gather hopi ear candles work. Good luck

A doctor told me to take Avomine travel sickness tablets to help with the sickness and giddness. I can honestly say it has worked for me.

Thank you so much for the comments and help

I think labyrinthitis and bpvt are different. For bpvt a gp can sometimes do the manoevre and you then have to sit up for the night as i recall. Labyrinthitis often resolved itself. I have had both and they are horrible

Yes, Wiser, they are different, BPPV is brought on by movement of the head, such as looking up, down or sideways. There is a couple of seconds pause after the movement, then the world starts spinning, easing off after around 15 seconds. That can be fixed with the Epley manoeuvre.

Labyrinthitis is very different, goes on for days before it clears. More info here from NHS website www.nhs.uk/conditions/labyrinthitis/

You can do the Eply manoeuvre yourself. I lay on the bed with my head hanging off the end and followed the instructions. There are videos on Youtube of how to do it. Worked for me. Hope it does for you.

I suffer from BPPV. The consultant who diagnosed me told me the if an attack struck, to immediately fix my eyes on one point somewhere in front of me ( a light, an object etc ) and the spinning and dizziness would stop. It works every time.

I suffer from it occasionally but less as I've got older. I used to be prescribed Stemtil (prochlorperazine) which worked for me. A friend's daughter, with 2 young children, was left by her GP to suffer from it for 3 weeks until I told her about Stemtil - it worked. Epley manoeuvre sounds interesting and worth trying.

I get episodes of dizziness and find The best way to stop the room spinning is to focus on something square or oblong like a book or a screen or a picture.

I had it very badly a few years ago, the Dr prescribed something but didn't really help. I found the Stugeron travel sickness tablets were better for me. There is also quite a good video on YouTube with some exercises to do. I'm no good at doing links I'm afraid, but if you just put Labyrinthitis into YouTube you should find it. It does take a while to get over it though. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

That’s exactly what happened to me, the initial experience of feeling sick, room spinning, walls moving was awful, a trip to the doctors and lots of manoeuvres on the padded bench and it was gone that day.

Many years ago my son had labyrinthitis after having mumps. The doctor said it was a common side effect and he’d picked up a virus. The cure was antibiotics and travel sickness medication until the antibiotics had done their job.

DD2 had this about 7 years ago. Her GP mentioned a procedure she (the GP) could do but didn't want to risk it. At times she felt really sick. Eventually DD2 was referred to the hospital (physio dept I think). I went with her, she was there most of the morning doing tests. It eventually cleared up. She found Stugeron motion sickness tablets helpful. When feasible she took GD's push chair out with her (although GD was a bit old for a push chair) and that helped her balance because she felt she was being pulled to one side. When she was small DD2 had a number of ear infections. Not sure if this was related.

The Eply manoever can often fix a problem with the inner ear - the ear monitors movement in 3D. There is a spiral-shaped tube which has a fluid and is lined with tiny hairs that respond to touch. Over time crystalline deposits move from another part of the ear into this tube, and when you move your head they go on spinning in the fluid and trigger the hairs even after the movement stops. The Eply manoever settles the deposits then tries to jerk them round back to where they belong. It often works, though it's easier if done by someone else with the knowledge. It can't do any harm though the horrible swirling gets worse, then stops.

I speak from having had vertigo for several months, it did eventually go away on its own, I got the appointment with the audiologist a few weeks later...